What is ROHS?

The RoHS Directive (Directive 2002/95/EC) bans the placing on the EU market of new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than agreed levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants from 1 July 2006. There are a number of exempted applications for these substances including spare parts for the repair or re-use of EEE.

RoHS takes its scope broadly from the WEEE Directive and the two Directives were introduced into the EU together to ensure that the recycling required by the WEEE Directive could be safely carried out without the danger of exposing dangerous substances.